Phuket News
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Whale shark sighted off Phuket
A whale shark was sighted off Ao Tue in Koh Racha yesterday (August 17). Videos and pictures posted by a personal facebook page ‘Saran Hassaya’ have been shared widely in social media. Videos and photos were taken yesterday by female tour guide Kristsada Sukjacharee who is also a dive instructor of the ‘Blue Corner’ tour boat company and a volunteer…
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Central Phuket opens on September 10
The new Central Phuket is set to open its doors on September 10. The announcement was made at Centara Grand Beach Resort, also owned by the Central Pattana Group. The concept of the new shopping centre, twice as big as the current Central Festival, is ‘The World Comes To Play’. The new complex will feature 20 of the world’s biggest…
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Tourist numbers tumble as Chinese media expose entrenched safety problems
The fallout from July’s tragic boat accident are just now starting to bite as tourists, who would have been about to make a booking around the time the accident happened, decided to book an alternate holiday destination instead. Despite the bravado and PR exercises, many Thai business people are secretly worried about the big drop-off in numbers. The drop in…
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Hilton Phuket helping with English lessons for Kamala students
Markus Kosch, general manager of Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, together with hotel management teams, recently visited a local school in Kamala to assist with English lessons for the day whilst providing sponsorship for the school valued at 100,000 baht. The donation was made to the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation in May 2018 in order to…
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Signs posted warning land encroachers in Rassada
Officers have set up official warning signs in front of a 50 rai plot of land on national reserve forest at Klong Bang Chela – Klong Tajeen in Rassada . The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives had given approval for the Phuket Provincial government to use 50 rai plot of land in the area of the national reserve forest as a…
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DSI crackdown on foreigners using Thai nominees: Law firm raided in Bangkok, Phuket and Samui
Four offices of the same investment advisory firm have been raided in Bangkok, Phuket and Samui. Coordinated raids on the offices of what appears to be a single advisory firm were conducted by the DSI (Department of Special Investigations), police and Board of Investment representatives. Pictures showed that the company is DFDL Thailand Legal and Tax. This company offers “investment advisory…
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Warning for boats going to sea until August 19
The Phuket Marine Office has made an official announcement for boats to be careful when going to sea from today, August 17-19, due to poor weather. The announcement was issued yesterday stating that “The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has forecast that during August 17-19 the monsoon will cause waves up to four metres in the open sea.” “For navigation…
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Phuket 13 beaches get ‘star’ treatment from environment office
13 Phuket beaches have received certificates after passing environmental tests and qualification. 34 business operators in the Andaman provinces also received wastewater management certification. Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew yesterday (August 15) presented the certificates at Pearl Hotel in Phuket Town to local administrative organisations for ‘star’ beaches and business operators for good wastewater management. “There are 13 famous Phuket…
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Fire destroys bedding warehouse in Rassada
A fire has destroyed a bedding warehouse in Rassada this morning (August 16). Two dogs were reported to have died in the blaze. The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 4am this morning in the in Soi Pruyai, 500 metres from the main SuperCheap store in Rassada. Firefighters arrived with five fire engines to find the fire…
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Body found floating off Kata Beach identified as Surat Thani man
The body of a man who is believed to be from Surat Thani was found floating just off Kata beach yesterday (August 15). Back on Monday evening, Karon Police were alerted about a tourist who was missing. A search was launched and kept going until midnight. Read more HERE. Karon Police were then notified yesterday from locals that a body…
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Black-out in parts of Patong tomorrow
Some residents in Patong are being warned that the Patong Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has a scheduled blackout in parts of Patong from 9am to 5pm tomorrow (August 16). They say the interruption to electricity services is necessary to work on high-voltage power lines. The affected area include Sirirat Road from Phuket Simon Cabaret to the Front Village Hotel. The…
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Yanui the crocodile has her DNA tests today
Veterinarians from Mahidol University took blood from ‘Yanui’ the crocodile for DNA testing this morning. The results of Yanui’s precise species will have to wait for about two weeks. Today (August 15), at the Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre in Pa Khlok, officials and Veterinary staff visited Yanui to take blood samples for DNA testing. No microchip has…
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Phoenix boat owner’s lawyer calls for ‘fairness’
The lawyer of the owner of Phoenix filed a letter to the Phuket Provincial Police Commander for ‘fairness’ in legal action being taken against the boat’s owner. At the Phuket Provincial Police Station the lawyers for the boat owner, Nalin Intarasombat and Nipit Intarasombat, spoke to the press after handing a letter to Phuket’s Police Commander. Lawyer Nipit says, “the boat owner…
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Phoenix will rise again… today
Divers and engineers attempting to bring Phoenix up to the surface yesterday say they were struggling with strong underwater currents yesterday (August 14). So the anticipated rise of the Phoenix had to be postponed. They say they were hoping to attach the last hook yesterday morning but the currents were making things difficult for the underwater salvage team. The boat was expected…
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New Phuket governor arrives October 1
The New Phuket Governor will start to work on the island on October 1 while the current governor Norraphat Plodthong will be finishing at the end of next month. The cabinet has approved the new Phuket governor to replace current Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong who will be retiring this September 30. The new Phuket governor, Pakkapong Tawipat, is the current…
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University students arrested with 14K methamphetamine pills
Eight suspects have been arrested with over 14,000 methamphetamine pills and 104 grams of crystal methamphetamine over the past two days. Two of them are senior university students. 28 year old Tanapat Naoprai and Sarocha Horgiean were living at a house in Rawai. Both are senior law students of a university in Phuket. Officers seized 14,000 methamphetamine pills from their…
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Emergency water shut off hits Kamala
The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) says that water supply in some areas of in Kamala will be shut off today (August 14) as the mains pipe broke earlier this morning. The mains have been shut off from 11am until repair works can be completed. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Kamala will be shutoff while work is being…
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Rise of the Phoenix – sunken tour boat to be raised today
Attempts to salvage the Phoenix have been struggling with the recent strong winds and waves. It’s hoped that the boat will be raised by the end of today (August 14). The owner of Phoenix failed to recover their boat after it sank on July 5, which resulted in 47 Chinese tourists drowning. The company that owns the boat will now be sued for…
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The battle of Phuket’s boat shows
Phuket’s next boat show season has hit stormy seas with the proposed new Thailand Yacht Show Rendezvous being ambushed by a revitalised ‘PIMEX’, now called the Phuket Yacht Show.
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Speedboat explodes into fire in Phang Nga
A parked speedboat which originated in Phuket has caught fire in Phang Nga today (August 13). One injury has been reported. The Takua Thung Police in Phang Nga were notified of the incident at 10.30am on Ao Man in Takua Thung. The speedboat captain told police that they were travelling with 20 middle eastern tourists and departed from Laem Sai…
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Big surf and high tides pound Phuket’s west coast beaches
Phuket’s west coast was being pounded by big waves along the island’s beaches this morning. A mid-morning high tide, compounded with the 30 kilometre winds and south-west monsoonal waves, are washing away parts of some of the island’s most popular beaches. The International Surf Life Saving Association says today’s conditions are very hazardous for beachgoers and swimmers. At Surin Beach…
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Phuket’s bank robber surrenders to police
Thursday’s Thalang bank robber has surrendered himself to police this morning (August 11). Police found that the suspect is also a known gold snatcher. Read about the armed bank robbery on Thursday HERE. Yesterday police tracked down the 27 year old suspect’s home in a housing estate which is not far from the bank. Police continued the search at his…
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Twinpalms hotels & resorts celebrate their 14th anniversary
PHOTO: Collard Studios One of Phuket’s home-grown brands, Twinpalms is inviting members, guests and residents to join the revelry at Catch Beach Club on Saturday, September 22, to mark 14 years of offering luxury hospitality and entertainment on Thailand’s largest destination island. Bang Tao Beach will once again be adorned with party- goers beautified in white clothing (as is the…
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“Phuket, a little piece of paradise” – US News & World Report
PHOTO: thailandtravel.agency Whilst the annual south-west monsoon continues to kick up dangerous surf along its west coast, the southern island of Thailand has picked up another award. The island has been named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by business publication US News & World Report. Phuket beat Maui, Kauai and Costa Rica in the world standings, according to the…
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Man charged after 21 month old stepson’s death
A 21 month old child has died after being repeatedly hit by his stepfather with a broom. The man has been charged with bodily harm causing death. Thalang Police were notified by Thalang Hospital medical staff at 5.30am yesterday (August 9) that the child was at the hospital and doctors suspected the child had been beaten to death. Police arrived…
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Ban for jet-skis and parasail rides continues until August 14
If you were planning to head down to the west coast today for a quick jet-ski dash and parasail ride, forget about it, they won’t be operating. The Acting chief of the Phuket Marine Office yesterday announced a ban for jet-skis and parasail ride operators using Phuket’s west coast beaches until August 14. The Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief, Wiwat…
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‘Yanui’ believed to be a mixed-breed crocodile
Expert believes that Yanui, the much-travelled crocodile, is a mix crocodile. However more DNA tests are being conducted. Today (August 9) at the Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre in Pa Khlok, Montri Sumonta inspected Yanui crocodile. Khon Montri is an expert in the field, stationed at the Marin Research and Development Station in Ranong. The ‘Yanui’ crocodile (named by…
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MultiHull Solutions Regatta 2018 – Phuket Yacht Club, Chalong
Sea Focussed Productions have put together a terrific video showcasing the action from this year’s successful MultiHull Solutions Regatta hosted by the Phuket Yacht Club. Congratulations to the winners and organisers of the event. Watch and enjoy highlights from this year’s event. https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/1830314000379753/
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Navy help 177 tourists back from Koh Racha
The Royal Thai Navy was called by tour operators on Koh Racha Yai yesterday (August 8) to help bring 177 Thais and tourists back to the Phuket Deep Sea Port following strong winds and high seas in the Andaman Sea. The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Commander Admiral Somnuek Prempramot says, “At about noon yesterday (August 8) we were asked…
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Eight arrested with drugs, firearms and ammunition
A team of Mueang Phuket District officers led by Danai Jaikheang have arrested eight male and female suspects with a variety of illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition. The eight suspects arrested are 27 year old man Watanyu Jaiyen, arrested at a house in Soi King Kaew, Rassada. Officer seized 4.34 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6 methamphetamine pills, 3 handguns and…
Phuket is a province in the south of Thailand. Phuket's beaches face the Andaman Sea allowing the west coast beaches fantastic sunsets right throughout the year. If you're looking for news in Phuket, go to thethaiger.com/phuket Or follow our instant news in our Facebook pages.
The good news is that Phuket is famous for its foodie scene with an enormously diverse range of local and international foods - Phuket and southern favorites, street food along with international choices catering for the 12 million visitors to the island each year. Thaiger follows Phuket news and information 24 hours a day with regular updates.
Phuket is only 'just' an island with a 300 metre bridge linking it to Thailand's mainland. We're always reporting in the news that the channel beneath is frequently dredged to maintain Phuket's status as an island. On the other side of Sarasin Bridge is the Province of Phang Nga.
Getting to Phuket is easy as the island has land, air and sea connections. Phuket is also used as a take-off point for local island trips as Thailand's largest island is surrounded by over 30 pristine islands. Koh Phi Phi and the famous Maya Bay are always in the news and would be the best known of the island's just off Phuket's shores.
Phuket is an island and a province. It's the largest island in Thailand – 48 km north to south, 21 km east to west.
It's about 20% smaller, in area, than Singapore but much less densely populated. Whilst the island nation of Singapore boasts a population of nearly 6 million, Phuket has a permanent population of around 400-450,000 (but varies a lot with the influx of tourists and a workforce that is always changing). Most of Phuket remains jungle and tropical rainforest despite an acceleration of development over the past 20 years.
Unlike some of Thailand's other popular islands (that are in the Gulf of Thailand), the news is that Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea.
Phuket is 878 km north of the equator.
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